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Buying Baby Stuff on a Budget

persalapersala
in 2nd Trimester

If I had the money I'd go buy a nursery full of everything the baby needs and be ready now, but seeing as though I don't and have to live on a budget I need some advice as to how to prioritize what I buy over the next 3 months.  I haven't really bought anything yet.  I'm thinking right now that I need to focus on getting these items:

Bassinet or Pack-n-play that has a bassinet on top

Infant Car Seat/Stoller combo 

Crib/Matress

Rocker

Dresser/changing table

Swing

 Any advice on what needs to be bought first in the unforseen event the baby comes early? Am I missing any critical items that need to be bought early on?  I know I'll eventually have a baby shower but I don't want to count on other people, especically for the bigger items.

 

 

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Re: Buying Baby Stuff on a Budget

  • lkaylee721lkaylee721 member
    I would buy the carseat and pack and play first...if you don't get anything else until baby arrives those two out of your list would be sufficient until you could get the others
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  • bellaciaobellaciao
    You'd be surprised at how the people invited to your shower might buy the bigger items off your registry, so I would wait until after your shower to buy any of those things.
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  • Jess&GreginloveJess&Greginlove member
    If you're really tight on a budget, I would eliminate the dresser/changing table and just change the baby on your bed or another table. What about clothes, or is that a given?
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  • Mrs.PepinMrs.Pepin member

    imagebellaciao:
    You'd be surprised at how the people invited to your shower might buy the bigger items off your registry, so I would wait until after your shower to buy any of those things.

    Ditto!!  I had quite a few bigger items bought for us at the shower.  If you do buy anything, just keep the receipts.

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  • Dawn BodtkeDawn Bodtke

    Your list looks pretty good, I don't think that you need a swing right away, especially if you are budgeting. I never had one for my DD, but I did get a bouncy seat (which she loved).

    I am on an extreme budget too. I try to buy a package of diapers each time I run to the store... Just to have a little stock. Also hit thrift stores, garage sales, etc. I found a BRAND NEW tummy time mat for $5.

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  • Scout1218Scout1218 member

    Well, I'd say the first priorities would be a safe place for baby to sleep (PNP w/ bassinet option) and a way for baby to get home from the hospital.  I've been reading online (and there have even been a few posts on here) about Graco and how they will be discontinuing certain patterns, and clearancing the remaining inventory. 

    I'd check out BRU for the clearance sales (should be anytime in January, I think) and see what you can find.  You might not be able to be really picky (I don't know how tight your budget is, or if you're just getting an idea for what things you'll need) about the patterns, but most of the Graco patterns are really cute. 

    Do you have craigslist for your area?  I wouldn't buy a used crib, but you could easily find a dresser and use it as both dresser and changing table.  I was dead set on buying a solid wood dresser and refinishing it myself, and found a beautiful solid wood one on craigslist for $80.  It is better than anything I saw in baby stores.  I'd say the baby can sleep in the PNP for a long time, so an actual crib wouldn't be as high of a priority in my eyes.

    Also, the rocker, while really a nice idea, wouldn't be a necessity in my mind.  Those suckers are expensive!!  We are trying to pick one out now and I am shocked at how expensive they can be.  I'd wait on that, and see if maybe you'd get that as a registry gift.

    You are registering, right?  Because BRU gives you a completion coupon for 10% off anything that's on your registry that you don't receive.  That's a great way to save money on the big ticket items.

    Sorry for the lost post - I am very rambly today!! :)

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  • IrishgatorstarIrishgatorstar
    Maybe it's a personal thing but I don't like rockers and I don't see their purpose.  You can curl up with baby and nurse or bottle feed any where and be comfortable. 
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  • marcandjenmarcandjen

    I agree with pp- some of those big-ticket items are ideal for groups who would 'chip in' for a shower gift. And you'll need the infant carrier/car seat from day one, so that should be on the list.

    If you plan on using the bassinet or a co-sleeper, you TECHNICALLY don't need the crib YET.

    Ebay & Craigslist are also becoming my best best best friends.

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  • Coley645Coley645
    I also suggest looking on craigslist if your area has one.  We are on a tight budget for the next 6-9 months while DH is finishing up law school, and have found some great deals on craigslist..  There are a lot of people selling new stuff or gently/barely used items..  I have found people who run e-bay businesses also post on craigslist, so they typically have new items at a huge discount.. 
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  • Meg&JesseMeg&Jesse
    Just thought I would jump in for a minute too, since I am coming from a different perspective.  The car seat is essential.  DS slept in our room in a bassinet until he was 2.5 months old and then we co-slept for awhile, so you could wait awhile for the crib.  Or you could just get a crib and keep it in your room in the beginning.  We have a changing pad on top of a dresser and I have never used it.  I always change DS on a blanket on the floor, which is great now because he loves to roll around when he is naked.  I had a bouncy chair I bought at a rummage sale for $5 and we received a new, really nice swing for our shower.  Ironically, we used the chair all the time and hardly use the swing.  If you are on a tight budget and worried, get the essentials..car seat, etc.  You might try some consignment shops or craigslist for some of the other items, like a swing.  It is so surprising to me how fast they grow out of some of these things.  I borrowed an excersaucer from a family member, DS uses it a ton now, but soon enough he will have grown out of it.  It sure beats paying up to $100 for something they use for a few months.  You may want to post on the 0-6 month or even the 6-12 month board to see what people used often.  You will get a lot of different suggestions and may find something that will work well for you.  Good luck!  (Hope you don't mind I stopped by.....my 2nd trimester was my favorite and I just wanted to stop by for some memories!)
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  • YummyMummy13YummyMummy13
    I would nix the changing table if you're trying to save money. We had one for DS and NEVER used it. It ended up just being an empty space that we threw clean laundry or packs of diapers on. Check IKEA for stuff too if you have one near you, they have good priced quality baby stuff.
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  • EMMBEMMB
    I would start with the carseat since you cannot leave the hospital with out one. Then I would get the Pack N Play with the bassinett attachment, the baby can sleep in there for a while so you don't HAVE to have the crib before he/she arrives. Dressers/changing tables aren't a necessity, you can change the baby on a bed or other flat surface. Rockers aren't an absolute essential either so I'd put that on the bottom of your list.You may want to hold off on the swing until you know what your baby likes. I've had a few friends buy swings that go back and forth when their baby only likes side to side etc. Keep your eyes open for after holiday sales. I know Burlington Coat Factory's baby section had some inexpensive pack n plays.
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  • lailak42lailak42

    You don't necessarily NEED a bassinet.  We bought an adorable cradle at a children's resale shop in our area for $35, and DS hated it.  He never would sleep in his cradle or the bassinet in his pack 'n play, so he ended up in his crib at like 3 weeks old.  I'm so glad we didn't spend a bunch of money on a brand new cradle/bassinet! 

    Most of the items on your list can be found at consignment sales and children's resale shops in great condition for amazing prices.  I'd check around and see what's in your area.  Check www.jbfsale.com to see if this particular consignment sale comes through your area...they always have a TON of great stuff.

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  • sherthebearsherthebear

    an infant car seat is the first things you need. You don't need a combo with a stroller, you can always get a stroller later. But you can't leave the hospital without a car seat. So that would be my first priority.

    Second would be a pack n play with a bassinet so that can do double duty. Baby can sleep in it for a while so that you do not have to purchase a crib right away.

    IMO, your last 3 items are not totally necessary. You can use any dresser you already have or get one at IKEA along the way for less money. The baby can be changed anywhere (some pnp have a changer attachment as well). Rocker is nice, but not necessary, you can feed the baby on the couch or a chair, whereever is comfy. Definitely wait on a swing to see if you baby even needs or likes them.

    Good Luck, I too am on a budget. But I have very helpful family and friends, so I have a feeling I will get some big items at my shower.

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